Newsletter Volume 10, Issue 3 September 2025
The IPA Awards: Outstanding Project Award – The Diverse Social Value of Press-in Engineering
IPA Awards Committee
What Makes an Outstanding Project? – Highlights from IPA Award History
Since its introduction in 2018, the Outstanding Project Award has honored real-world achievements that demonstrate the unique capabilities of press-in engineering. Presented only three times to date, the award recognizes projects that combine technical innovation, societal impact, and sustainable practices.
This article outlines the purpose and selection process of the award, revisits past recipients, and previews the 2024 award-winning project ahead of a full-length feature in the December issue.
Award Purpose and Selection Criteria
The Outstanding Project Award recognizes initiatives that exemplify the best of press-in engineering—projects that contribute meaningfully to society, demonstrate technical excellence, and inspire future innovations. The award is presented to initiatives that:- Demonstrate outstanding practical application of press-in piling technology
- Address societal needs such as environmental sustainability, safety, and resilience
- Are completed or substantially progressed at the time of nomination
- Involve active collaboration among stakeholders, including engineers, contractors, and public bodies
- Serve as a model for future projects in press-in engineering.
Past Award-Winning Projects
1. Construction project of retaining wall adjacent to railway in Kyushu, Japan (2019 IPA Awards)
A technically demanding project involving the installation of 1000 mm diameter steel tubular piles on a steep slope to create space for a new railway track. The team employed finite element analysis to help in assessing ground movement near adjacent buildings and used an innovative continuous beam to enhance wall stiffness. This project stands as a model for applying press-in technology to urban infrastructure in densely populated areas.
Related information was published in IPA Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 1 March 2020 (page 26).
Awarded: June 19, 2021Winners: Kyushu Railway Company (Project Owner), SANKIKENSETSU, INC. (Prime Contractor), Tonichi Engineering Consultants, Inc. (Design), GIKEN LTD. (Planning), GIKEN SEKO CO., LTD. (Pile Driving Contractor)
Retaining wall project adjacent to operating railway line in Kitakyushu, Japan
2. Emergency Bridge Abutment Repair with Pressed-in Pipe Piles, Japan (2021 IPA Awards)
This project demonstrates how innovative construction methods can play a critical role in protecting infrastructure under extreme conditions. After severe flooding exposed the foundation of a bridge abutment, pressed-in pipe piles were chosen to carry out an urgent repair that met both structural needs and site constraints—such as steep slopes, limited access, and low headroom clearance. The method enabled safe, vibration-free installation without ground-based equipment, allowing for rapid stabilization with minimal impact on the surrounding environment.
Further background information on the original project was featured in IPA Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 4 December 2019 (page 20).
Awarded: June 19, 2021Winners: Takefumi Takuma (Giken America Corporation), Hiroyuki Nishimura (Japan Press-in Association), Masashi Nagano (Giken America Corporation)
Emergency foundation repair project for flood-damaged bridge abutment in Kagoshima, Japan
3. AI 2018-0423 Amsterdam Quay Walls Innovation Partnership, Netherlands (2024 IPA Awards)
This project showcases a pioneering approach to urban infrastructure renewal within a UNESCO World Heritage site. Faced with the challenge of renovating over 200 kilometers of aging canal quay walls, the City of Amsterdam adopted a press-in piling method that avoided demolition, minimized environmental impact, and preserved historic scenery. The solution enabled construction in extremely constrained spaces—surrounded by valued trees, houseboats, and active traffic—while supporting the city’s carbon-neutral goals through the use of electric machinery. It reflects how press-in technology can meet modern demands for sustainability, heritage conservation, and urban livability.
Further information on the project’s background and technical approach was featured in IPA Newsletter Volume 8, Issue 2 June 2023 (page 27).
Awarded: July 3, 2024Winners: City of Amsterdam, G-Kracht B.V.
(Details of the pilot work will be featured in the December issue, possibly with video materials.)
Quay wall renovation project in Amsterdam’s World Heritage area using press-in piling system, Netherlands
Looking Ahead
The Outstanding Project Award not only honors past achievements but also highlights the evolving role of press-in technology in addressing global infrastructure challenges. As urban environments grow more complex and sustainability becomes a shared priority, the projects that have received awards serve as blueprints for future innovation. From disaster recovery to heritage preservation, these examples demonstrate how press-in solutions can meet diverse societal needs.
We encourage engineers, contractors, and public agencies to explore innovative applications of press-in piling technology and to share exemplary case studies through future nominations. Projects demonstrating technical excellence, societal value, and collaborative implementation are especially welcome—as we continue to highlight models that can inspire sustainable infrastructure development worldwide.
A more in-depth feature on the 2024 award-winning project—the Amsterdam Quay Walls Innovation Partnership—will appear in the December 2025 issue. The article will include an interview with the project team, progress updates since the award, and further insights into the project's societal impact.
Further Information
- Complete list of recipients: https://www.press-in.org/en/page/outstanding_project_list
- Award details and nomination form: https://www.press-in.org/en/page/outstanding_project
- Contact: ipa.award@press-in.org
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